Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the new leader of the Conservative Party, closing a four-month race to succeed Rishi Sunak with a decisive victory over Robert Jenrick. Known for her forthright approach and willingness to address contentious issues, Badenoch has won strong support among the Conservative grassroots, who admire her candid style.
In the final vote, Badenoch secured 53,806 votes to Jenrick’s 41,388, with a voter turnout of 72.8% from the 131,680 eligible Conservative members. A total of 655 ballots were rejected.
During her acceptance speech, Badenoch addressed the party’s recent struggles, admitting, “We made mistakes, and we let standards slip.” She praised Jenrick for his contributions throughout the campaign and described the party’s mission ahead as “tough but simple.”
The leadership transition comes after a difficult general election in July, which saw the Conservatives drop to just 121 seats in Parliament, with losses to Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK. Badenoch expressed her deep commitment to the party, describing it as “a family” and saying, “It means much more to me than a membership organisation.”
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Badenoch on her win, urging party members to rally behind her. “Kemi will renew our party, stand up for Conservative values, and take the fight to Labour,” he said.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also congratulated, noting Badenoch’s achievement as the “first black leader of a Westminster party.”
The leadership race initially included high-profile figures such as Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat, and James Cleverly, who all campaigned alongside Badenoch and Jenrick over the summer.
Patel and Stride were the first to be eliminated in September, narrowing the field to four by the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. At the meeting, Badenoch and Jenrick faced their own controversies: Badenoch defended her stance on maternity pay, while Jenrick was criticized for his comments about UK special forces.
Cleverly initially seemed poised as a strong contender but was eliminated in the final rounds, securing 37 votes to Jenrick’s 41 and Badenoch’s 42. With Badenoch now leading the Conservatives, the party is tasked with rebuilding its platform and preparing for the challenges ahead.
